New and Desperate

Mobscene

Hi everyone, I've been a long time lurker and this site helped me to beat some of my debts but in the last year I have got even more into debt. I'm working part time as that is all I can get at the moment.

I have another income of around £100 a month from doing Ann Summers parties but this varies quite a bit. My problem is the doctors think I may be border line bi-polar and I go through deep depressions and can't hold down a full time job for long.I don't pay rent as I live in a granny flat next to my parents house, and I don't own a TV.

The gas and electric are horrific, am disputing the costs at the moment as well as the £400 gas arrears - I can't see how it can be £79 a month when I live on my own and only use the heating for hot water and occassional heating in the winter!I can't claim working tax credits because I am 24 and you have to be 25. And I can't change credit card or get a new one as my credit rating is shot and the card is actually in my dad's name - he won't change it to a different one either.

The grocery bill includes food and litter for 3 cats (don't ask!) and have just taken out the insurance today (my oldest cat got run over and it's cost me £250 today to have his leg emputated). And I know I need to cut down on the entertainment

Sorry to go on I am just getting so depressed about this, it's taking over and my dad is constantly on my back about money as well and my brother has stolen large amounts of money off me in the past. I really am fed up and have finally had my lightbulb moment. Any advice would be gratefully received.

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance SheetHousehold Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 0
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 288
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 100
Total monthly income.................... 388
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments..............0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Counciltax............................0
Electricity............................. 21
Gas..................................... 79
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 15
TV Licence.............................. 0
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 25
Groceries etc. ......................... 60
Clothing................................ 5
Petrol/diesel........................... 0
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 10
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 10
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 50
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 275
AssetsCash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 0
No
Secured nor Hire Purchase DebtsUnsecured DebtsDescription....................Debt......Monthly...APRCouncil Tax....................2700......80........0
Credit Card....................9000......100.......24
N Power........................400.......20........0
Provident......................300.......42........0
Pay day........................250.......40........0Total unsecured debts..........12650.....282.......-
Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 388
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 275
Available for debt repayments........... 113
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 282
Amount short for making debt repayments. -169
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0Total HP & Secured debt................. -0Total Unsecured debt.................... -12,650
Net Assets.............................. -12,650

Horse_Owner

I think the only way you can realistically do this is to up your income. How many hours per week do you work? You may still be entitled to job seekers allowance which may help a tiny bit.

psychopathbabble

Is there any way you can do more ann summers partys? or maybe body shop or something too? I used to do them and even though I wasn't putting much effort in, it was a good extra income.

I'm the same age as you, and have got a lot of debt too although working full time and I have really low patches sometimes. Please don't let this get you down (i know its hard) there is a way out of it, and every one on here is in the same situation so there is lots of advice available. Just spend a little time looking over the various threads, have a look at the little challenges that people set for themselves and try to motivate yourself.

Every little really does help, and once you start making even a tiny bit of progress, you will feel so much better.

Psychopathbabble x

milliemonster

Hi chick and welcome to DFW!!!, I have to agree with others, your outgoings are fine in respect of your income, this is where you need to try and increase, have a look at the up your income board, there are some great ideas on there how you can raise extra cash

psychopathbabble

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance SheetHousehold Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 0
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 288
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 100 anyway way of increasing this by more parties etc?
Total monthly income.................... 388
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments..............0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Counciltax............................0
Electricity............................. 21
Gas..................................... 79his is really high, hopefully the gas company will be able to lower it for you
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 15
TV Licence.............................. 0
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 25 why so much?
Groceries etc. ......................... 60
Clothing................................ 5
Petrol/diesel........................... 0
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 10
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 10
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 50definitely needs to be lower, take a look at the weekly spend board for ideas
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 275
AssetsCash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 0
No
Secured nor Hire Purchase DebtsUnsecured DebtsDescription....................Debt......Monthly.. .APRCouncil Tax....................2700......80........0
Credit Card....................9000......100.......24
N Power........................400.......20........0
Provident......................300.......42....... .0
Pay day........................250.......40........0Total unsecured debts..........12650.....282.......-
Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 388
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 275
Available for debt repayments........... 113
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 282
Amount short for making debt repayments. -169
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0Total HP & Secured debt................. -0Total Unsecured debt.................... -12,650
Net Assets.............................. -12,650


Hope this helps a little bit, but as Horse Owner says, you really need to try and up your income. Do you advertise for parties? Ask all your friends including any internet friends about ordering and parties etc. Most important thing is to stay postive and focussed *hugs*

ZarZar1990

Aww please please please don't be depressed!
You're in the right place, I was really depressed when I first started lurking on these boards, I'm all cheerful again now though :j
Good luck hun, I've put my comments in red...
Hope it helps.
XXX

Mobscene wrote: »

Sorry to go on I am just getting so depressed about this, it's taking over and my dad is constantly on my back about money as well and my brother has stolen large amounts of money off me in the past. I really am fed up and have finally had my lightbulb moment. Any advice would be gratefully received.

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance SheetHousehold Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 0
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 288
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 100 More parties? Recruit more ladies?
Total monthly income.................... 388 If you're working 15 hours p/w or less you can claim job seekers allowance?
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments..............0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Counciltax............................0
Electricity............................. 21
Gas..................................... 79
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 15
TV Licence.............................. 0
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 25Tiscali broadband is available from like £5 p/m
Groceries etc. ......................... 60Thats quite good, do you already buy the cheapest of the cheap brands?
Clothing................................ 5
Petrol/diesel........................... 0
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 10
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 10
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 50
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 275
AssetsCash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 0
No
Secured nor Hire Purchase DebtsUnsecured DebtsDescription....................Debt......Monthly...APRCouncil Tax....................2700......80........0
Credit Card....................9000......100.......24
N Power........................400.......20........0
Provident......................300.......42........0
Pay day........................250.......40........0Total unsecured debts..........12650.....282.......-
Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 388
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 275
Available for debt repayments........... 113
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 282
Amount short for making debt repayments. -169
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0Total HP & Secured debt................. -0Total Unsecured debt.................... -12,650
Net Assets.............................. -12,650

Mobscene

Thanks everyone for your replies The internet is high because it was a contract with a laptop as well - took it out when my income was a little higher.
I might try the Body Shop idea as I know some of my friends are a little 'wary' shall we say of Ann Summers (and some of the blokes are terrified)!!!
I'm going to go have a look at the weekly spend board now so I can save some money there. Wow, it's such a relief to just write it all down

yellowduck_2

Hi Mobscene just wanted to say hello and good luck, you will get good advice and support on here.

psychopathbabble

Body Shop is good, but if you decide to do it, wait until they have a decent offer on the start up kit.

There are also other money saving boards, but I just like the weekly spend as it encourages me to stay within my weekly budget! I have spent the last couple of days redoing my budget spreadsheet and have found a different way of looking at it which should make things easier.

You will get there x

Mobscene

Just wanted to say thanks again, have applied to Body Shop as they have the kit on for £40 at the moment so seeing them this week Will keep updating this to encourage me and people can shout at me when I want to go out or spend money on silly things! Although I am being naughty tonight and going to The Circus of Horrors - did get the tickets half price though

Took advantage of the free listing day on e Bay yesterday and have also organised a music event for next Saturday - been in pipelines for a while - so if that works I could look at a couple hundred profit *fingers crossed*

l5pkel

I'm new to this forum but it looks like I'll find lots of useful tips here!

Mobscene, I saw your post and thought I might be able to offer an idea for increasing your income. When my kids were small, I desperately wanted to find a way to work from home and I now do it very successfully through niche websites. I won't mention them here (as I believe that's against the rules) but I'll just mention that it's a terrific way to earn extra income and get out of debt doing something you love. You basically build a site around a topic you have passion for, make sure there's lots of terrific content/information so the Search Engines will rank the site highly and then diversify income through affiliate links, Google Adsense, and other methods (partnerships, referrals,... whatever you choose.)

There are a number of ways to learn how to do this but many web hosts make "get rich quick" promises that cannot be fulfilled. I use Site Build It! (also called SBI!) and believe they're the best of the best at teaching you how to build an e-business and walking you through all of the steps. They also have the best tools I've seen for market research and building traffic. They're straightforward about it not being a get rich quick process, which I respect. You DO have to work at it. What's great though about a web business is that you can work on your site whenever you're feeling most motivated. Sometimes that's 2am for me!

Good luck with whatever you decide!